Game of darts

ABSTRACT

An improved game of darts provides challenging new rules for making dart games more interesting, which provides a way of including the principles of the dice game, LCR, with popular dart games, like Cricket and 301. A special 6-sided dice is needed when playing these new versions of dart games.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from priorprovisional application Ser. No. 62/366,351, filed Jul. 25, 2016, whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understandingthe present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of theinformation provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presentlydescribed or claimed inventions, or that any publication or documentthat is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of games and morespecifically relates to a way of including the principles of a dicegame, with popular dart games like Cricket and 301. A special 6-sideddice is needed when playing these new versions of dart games.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Darts is a game in which small missiles shaped objects with a pointedend are thrown at a circular dartboard affixed to a wall. Though variousboards and rules have been used in the past, the term “darts” usuallynow refers to a standardized game involving a specific board design andset of rules. As well as being a professional competitive sport, dartsis a traditional pub game, commonly played in the United Kingdom, acrossthe Commonwealth, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Republic ofIreland, the Scandinavian countries, the United States, and elsewhere.Unfortunately, while playing darts over a period of time, it may becomeboring. Therefore, a need exists for a way to incorporate the principlesof the dice game, LCR to make darts games more interesting andchallenging.

Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problemssuch as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,703 to Oresto P. Grottola;U.S. Pat. No. 2,039,352 to Laurie E Ross; U.S. Pat. No. 3,059,928 toJames F Flanagan; U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,747 to Thomas A. Tanita; and U.S.Publication. No. 2005/0023751 to Jonathan Paterson. This art isrepresentative of dart gaming devices. None of the above inventions andpatents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe theinvention as claimed.

Ideally, a game should provide fun and excitement for those playing, andshould be relatively easy to learn and follow, yet would be manufacturedat a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable improved game ofdarts to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known dart gameart, the present invention provides a novel improved game of darts. Thegeneral purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail is to provide a way of including theprinciples of the dice game, LCR, with popular dart games, like Cricketand 301. A special 6-sided dice is needed when playing these newversions of dart games.

An improved game of darts is disclosed herein comprising the steps ofproviding a six-sided die, with each side of the die having an imagecorresponding to a game command. It further has a set of game rules withinstructions including a command for each respective image on eachrespective side of the six-sided die instructing a player to throw a setof darts at specific locations upon a dart board, and a scoring systemadapted to allow a player to accumulate points for when each dart of theset of darts hits the specific locations associated with each command.The game steps are as follows: throwing the die and following thecommand for the image that faces upwards when the die is stabilized upona support surface, and using a set of three darts to perform thatcommand.

The images for each respective side of the six-sided die comprises“wild”, “double”, “triple”, “odd”, “even”, and a “bull's eye”, such thateach image corresponds to a command as follows:

“wild” refers to a command that a player may hit any location on thedart board,“double” refers to doubling the points for hitting the dart board in therequired location,“triple” refers to tripling the points for hitting the dart board in therequired location,“odd” refers to a command that a player can only score if they hit anodd score,“even” refers to a command that a player can only score if they hit aneven score, and“bull's eye” refers to a command that a player must hit the bull's eyeof the dart board.

The improved game of darts further comprises the steps of:

-   -   a. allowing a player to roll the die another time if the command        on the previous roll is accomplished, and    -   b. repeating step “a” until the command is not accomplished.        Points are not accumulated until the command is accomplished,        and upon accomplishing, command points are only accumulated by        the remaining of the three darts. A point total of 301 points is        required to win the game. A player must accumulate 301 points or        more to win the game.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as animproved game of darts. For purposes of summarizing the invention,certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention havebeen described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily allsuch advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particularembodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied orcarried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage orgroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of theinvention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specificationillustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention,improved game of darts constructed and operative according to theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an improved game of dartswith dart board and a set of darts according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an improved game of dartsaccording to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an improved game of darts inthe package according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for an improved gameof darts according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS.1-3.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to agame and more particularly to an improved dart game which provides a wayof including the principles of the dice game, LCR, with popular dartgames, like Cricket and 301. A special 6-sided dice is needed whenplaying these new versions of dart games.

Generally speaking, an improved game of darts provides challenging newrules for making dart games more interesting. All that is needed to playthis game is a 6-sided dice and an understanding of the rules. Imagesfor wild, double, triple, odd, even and a bull's eye are included on thesides of this 6-sided dice. After the player rolls the dice, he or shemust try to hit the place on the dartboard that matches what has beenrolled. When playing the game, Cricket for example, the player would beallowed to roll the dice a second time when they hit the matching placeon the target when throwing the dart. The player is allowed to keeprolling the dice and throwing darts until he or she misses hitting thetarget in places that match what they have rolled on the dice. Whenplaying the game, 301, all three darts would be thrown after the firstroll of the dice. If ‘wild’ was rolled, then all three darts areconsidered to be wild. Double, triple or bull's eye must be hit in orderto score points.

If one of these are hit with the first dart thrown, then the remainingthrows are considered to be free. If these locations are hit with thesecond dart thrown, then the last dart is free. If odd or even arerolled, the player can only score if/when he or she hits an odd or evenscore. If the player goes over, the points from the throw will be addedto his or her score, and the player's turn is over. These rules can betweaked to make the games even more challenging. The rules can beprinted on a small, laminated card, so they can be carried easily to abar, a party, or stored safely at home or wherever a people gather toplay darts. The two games can be separated, and played with two sets ofdice. The 301 game could be played with three dice, although it would beeasier to carry just one dice.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown inFIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating an improved game of darts 100with dart board 116 and set of darts 114 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Improved game of darts 100 is disclosed herein comprising the steps ofproviding a six-sided die 104, with each side of the die 104 havingimage 106 corresponding to a game command. It further has a set of gamerules 110 with instructions included in package 122 including a commandfor each respective image 106 on each respective side of six-sided die104 instructing a player to throw set of darts 114 at specific locationsupon dart board 116, and a scoring system adapted to allow a player toaccumulate points for when each dart 118 of set of darts 114 hits thespecific locations associated with each command. The game steps are asfollows: throwing die 104 and following the command for image 106 thatfaces upwards when die 104 is stabilized upon a support surface, andusing a set of three darts 114 to perform that command.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an a perspective view illustrating an improvedgame of darts 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Images 106 for each respective side of six-sided die 104 comprises“wild”, “double”, “triple”, “odd”, “even”, and a “bull's eye”, such thateach image 106 corresponds to a command as follows:

“wild” refers to a command that a player may hit any location on dartboard 116,“double” refers to doubling the points for hitting dart board 116 in therequired location,“triple” refers to tripling the points for hitting dart board 116 in therequired location,“odd” refers to a command that a player can only score if they hit anodd score,“even” refers to a command that a player can only score if they hit aneven score, and“bull's eye” refers to a command that a player must hit the bull's eyeof dart board 116.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view illustrating an improvedgame of darts 100 in the package 122 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Improved game of darts 100 further comprises the steps of:

-   -   a. allowing a player to roll the die 104 another time if the        command on the previous roll is accomplished, and    -   b. repeating step “a” until the command is not accomplished.        Points are not accumulated until the command is accomplished,        and upon accomplishing, command points are only accumulated by        the remaining of the three darts 114. A point total of 301        points is required to win the game. A player must accumulate 301        points or more to win the game.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrating a method of use for an improvedgame of darts comprising the steps of, step one 501, rolling dice 104,step two 502, reading command on dice 104, step three 503, throwingdarts 118 at dart board 116, step four 504, accumulating points, stepfive 505, totaling points when game is over, step six 506, determiningwinner. The method may further comprise step seven 507, storing gamewhen not in use.

It should be noted that step 507 is an optional step and may not beimplemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 500 are illustratedusing dotted lines in FIG. 4 so as to distinguish them from the othersteps of method 500.

Improved game of darts 100 may be sold as kit 440 comprising thefollowing parts: at least one six-sided die; at least one dart board; atleast one set of darts; at least one set of game rules; and at least oneset of user instructions. The kit has instructions such that functionalrelationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention(such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in apreferred manner). Improved game of darts 100 may be manufactured andprovided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wideassortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it shouldbe appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering suchissues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences,cost, structural requirements, available materials, technologicaladvances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example,including more or less components, customized parts, different colorcombinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can becarried out in many different orders according to user preference. Theuse of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claimsherein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference,user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements,available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of usearrangements such as, for example, different orders withinabove-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps,including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may besufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. An improved game of dartscomprising the steps of: a. providing a six-sided die; wherein each sideof said six-sided die includes an image corresponding to a game command;b. providing a set of game rules; wherein said game rules includeinstructions including: i. a command for each respective image on eachrespective side of said six-sided die; wherein each command is adaptedto instruct a player to throw a set of darts at specific locations upona dart board; ii. a scoring system adapted to allow a player toaccumulate points for when each dart of said set of darts hits saidspecific locations associated with each said command.
 2. The improvedgame of darts of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: c. throwingsaid die and following said command for said image that faces upwardswhen said die is stabilized upon a support surface; and d. using a setof three darts to perform said command.
 3. The improved game of darts ofclaim 2, wherein said images for each respective side of said six-sideddie comprises “wild”, “double”, “triple”, “odd”, “even”, and a “bull'seye”, such that each said image corresponds to a command as follows:“wild” refers to a command that a player may hit any location on saiddart board; “double” refers to doubling the points for hitting said dartboard in the required location; “triple” refers to tripling the pointsfor hitting said dart board in the required location; “odd” refers to acommand that a player can only score if they hit an odd score; “even”refers to a command that a player can only score if they hit an evenscore; and “bull's eye” refers to a command that a player must hit thebull's eye of said dart board.
 4. The improved game of darts of claim 3,further comprising the steps of: e. allowing said player to roll saiddie another time if said command on the previous roll is accomplished;and f. repeating step “e” until said command is not accomplished.
 5. Theimproved game of darts of claim 2, wherein points are not accumulateduntil said command is accomplished; and wherein upon accomplishing saidcommand points are only accumulated by the remaining of said threedarts.
 6. The improved game of darts of claim 4, further comprising thesteps of: g. defining a winning total of said points, such that a playermust hit said point total or more to win the game.
 7. The improved gameof darts of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: g. defining awinning total of said points, such that a player must hit said pointtotal exactly to win the game.
 8. The improved game of darts of claim 6,wherein said winning score is
 301. 9. A kit for playing an improved gameof darts comprising: a six-sided die; wherein each side of saidsix-sided die includes an image corresponding to a game command; a dartboard; wherein said dart board includes delineated subsections adaptedto provide differing point totals; a set of three darts; wherein saidset of three darts are adapted to be thrown and releasably attach tosaid dart board; and a set of game rules; wherein said game rulesinclude instructions including: i. a command for each respective imageon each respective side of said six-sided die; wherein each command isadapted to instruct a player to throw a set of darts at specificlocations upon a dart board; ii. a scoring system adapted to allow aplayer to accumulate points for when each dart of said set of darts hitssaid specific locations associated with each said command.
 10. Theimproved game of darts of claim 9, wherein said images for eachrespective side of said six-sided die comprises “wild”, “double”,“triple”, “odd”, “even”, and a “bull's eye”, such that each said imagecorresponds to a command as follows: “wild” refers to a command that aplayer may hit any location on said dart board; “double” refers todoubling the points for hitting said dart board in the requiredlocation; “triple” refers to tripling the points for hitting said dartboard in the required location; “odd” refers to a command that a playercan only score if they hit an odd score; “even” refers to a command thata player can only score if they hit an even score; and “bull's eye”refers to a command that a player must hit the bull's eye of said dartboard.